Royal Agricultural University

The Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6JS

Originally founded in 1845, the Royal Agricultural College gained university status ten years ago and, in 2013, the Royal Agricultural University was born.

The University’s Latin motto ‘Arvorum Cultus Pecorumque’ is taken from Virgil’s Georgics, which dates back to around 29BC, and translates as ‘Caring for the Fields and the Beasts’.

Construction of the main building, which is approached via an avenue of mature lime trees, took exactly one calendar year and was built on the site of an ancient farmhouse, now the Bathurst Wing, and the Tithe Barn. Construction of the University’s Chapel followed soon after.
While many more modern buildings – including lecture theatres, offices, laboratories, and halls of residence - have been added to the main campus over recent years, the older part still looks (externally at least) much as it did in 1845.

In addition to the opportunity to look around the magnificent historic buildings and grounds, part of The Orwin Collection, a collection of paintings on permanent loan from Oxford University, will be on display.

The RAU will be open on Saturday 9 September from 1pm to 4pm. Guided tours, a historic talk and refreshments can be purchased from our on-site café.

Please use the University’s Tetbury Road entrance, park as directed, and follow the signs to the main reception. There will be a separate route for disabled visitors. Dogs on leads are welcome in the University grounds but only assistance dogs are permitted in the buildings.

This event took place in September 2023 and the entry is now archived.

Organised by

Royal Agricultural University

Date last modified: 3rd August 2023 at 16:00